Sponsored by Rep. Matt Gaetz, and signed into law in 2013 by Gov. Rick Scott, CS/HB 7083 (“The Timely Justice Act” – Public Act No. 2013-216) speeds up post-conviction appeals for death penalty cases and ensures quick execution after sentencing. The law establishes tight deadlines for death penalty appeals and for the issuing of death warrants after the Florida Supreme Court upholds death sentences. It also limits appeals based on incompetent council; any attorney twice found to have provided “constitutionally deficient representation” is to be suspended from handling death appeals for five years.

Sponsored by the Judiciary Committee, Rep. Eisnaugle, Rep. Gaetz, et al, but defeated in the Nov. 6, 2012 election, CS/HJR7111 is a a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment (Amendment 5) that modifies the Florida State Supreme Court. If approved by voters on November 6, 2012, Amendment 5 will require that the Senate must confirm the governor’s appointed justices; it also authorizes that the Legislature may repeal court rules by a simple majority vote.

Sponsored by Rep. Matt Gaetz and Sen. Don Gaetz, and signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott, CS/HB 7055 mandates that unelected agency heads appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Governor are subject to his direction and supervision because he is constitutionally accountable to the People of Florida. The bill prevents agency bureaucrats from writing and implementing rules that are contrary to the direction of the Governor and Legislature. As with similar state preemption laws, HB7055 strips agencies of rulemaking authority and repeals existing rules deemed to be in violation of the constitutional authority of the executive and legislative branches.

Sponsored by Rep. Matt Gaetz and signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott, HB45 (The Penalties for Violating Firearms Preemption Law) repeals any and all regulations, policies, and ordinances that violate Florida’s firearms preemption law of 1987 (f.s.790.33)–a law that makes it illegal to pass gun restrictions beyond those enacted by the state legislature. State public officials who attempt to introduce local gun control ordinances incur a $5,000 fine and possible termination. Local municipalities attempting gun control will be sued for up to $100,000 plus court costs.

Sponsored by Reps. Gaetz, Roberson, Dorworth, et al (Rules and Calendar Committee, Government Operations Subcommittee, Rulemaking and Regulation Subcommittee), and signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott in 2011, HB 993 requires all agencies to undertake a comprehensive review of the economic impact of their respective rules and shifts the burden of proof in certain administrative proceedings to the nonapplicant third party petitioner. Makes it easier for developers, mining firms and others to overcome environmental permit challenges, shifting the burden of proving environmental damage to the challenger.